A common question I hear from clients is whether a power of attorney (POA) can be used to change beneficiary designations. I’m Christopher Small, owner of CMS Law Firm, and I want to clear up the confusion.

Understanding the Role of a Power of Attorney

A power of attorney is a legal document that allows someone—called an agent or attorney-in-fact—to act on behalf of another person, known as the principal. The exact authority granted to the agent depends entirely on what is written in the POA document.

Beneficiary Designations Are Typically Off-Limits

In most cases, including the powers of attorney we draft at CMS Law Firm, the agent cannot change beneficiary designations. This includes accounts like life insurance, retirement accounts, or payable-on-death bank accounts.

Why is that? Changing beneficiary designations carries significant consequences and requires clear intent from the account owner. Allowing an agent to make these changes could lead to disputes, confusion, or unintended outcomes. The authority to modify these designations remains exclusively with the principal—the person who signed the power of attorney.

What a Power of Attorney Can Do

While a POA cannot usually change beneficiaries, it can authorize your agent to:

• Manage bank and investment accounts

• Pay bills and handle financial transactions

• Make real estate or property decisions (depending on the POA language)

If your estate plan requires adjustments, such as altering how assets are distributed upon death, those changes typically need to be made directly by the account holder, not through a power of attorney.

Conclusion

A power of attorney is a powerful tool for managing your affairs while you’re alive, but it does not grant the authority to change beneficiary designations. Those decisions always remain in your hands.

If you’re in Washington State and need guidance on estate planning, powers of attorney, or beneficiary planning, visit cmsawfirm.com to schedule a consultation. Taking the right steps now can prevent confusion and protect your intentions later.